“....He Looked Forward....”

"He considered the reproach of Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward....". (Hebrews 11:26, Amplified Bible)

 The problem with most of us is that we look at the past or the present, what were our expectations, our "prophetic word," and the now which has not seen the fulfillment.  The, "God-Breathed," Word tells us to look as did Moses.  He had lost everything, nothing was looking promising in his "present circumstances," yet he was in a different realm from most of his contempories.  As verse 27 says, He, "Endured as seeing Him who is invisible." 

The key to Moses' triumphant walk was, "....he looked ahead....". The reality for too many is looking to the now, what I have or don't have.  Moses, "....left Egypt, the power, the influence, etc., again, "....for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen."  Looking to our expectations, our "prophetic words," will not sustain us in the battle.  The Holy Spirit tells us quite plainly the only way to live an overcoming life.  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (as Moses, others in Hebrews 11 and Church History) stripping off every weight (expectations?) and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,..focusing our eyes on Jesus," just as Moses, "was looking to the reward..., seeing Him who is invisible."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I know You are my Reward.  Help me to live like You Are.  Amen.

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We are leaving early tomorrow morning for Pawel's and Danuta's home in Poland

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'" "Looking unto Jesus" Hebrews 12:2

From Outside Humbolt Seminary

"Christ....entered the Holy Place once for all....". (Hebrews 9)

I have been worn out at the end of the day; hence, been negligent with the devotional.  It is now 13:37 and I had some soup just across from the Seminary, and writing this on my phone.

I was in the noontime prayer service in the Berliner Dom.  When it was over, I was asked to leave.  Prayer must give way to "filthy lucre."  Apparently they don't want tourists ducking the entrance fee by feigning prayer.  Why argue?!?  

Our text is a "Reformation" text.  In the Catholic Mass, they assert that the sacrifice of Christ is offered over and over.  That is the, "First Covenant."  The Hebrew writer says that the Second is based on, "better promises."  There is just non better than when Jesus cried out, "It is finished," it was indeed, "finished."  

'It's done, the great transaction's done. I am my Lord's and He is mine."  Catholicism is based on "coming and going," theology, much like, "Take us into His presence."  Don't need that.  Reformers believe we entered, "once for all," when Jesus entered our very beings and we entered, "were grafted in," to Jesus.  We entered Jesus and Jesus entered us when we, "open(ed) the door."  So whether in the Berlin Mitte, or a 6+ hour time difference, no matter.  Jesus, "entered the Holiest, "once for all," and so did you and I.

"He takes away the first in order to establish the second.  By the will we have been sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL."  It is time the praying, worshiping community reestablishes the Reformation roots, the call to the Church to once again proclaim and live, "once for all."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I am eternally thankful for, "once for all."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'" "Looking unto Jesus" Hebrews 12:2